Got my 7/8 XL in the other night. Justin gave me instructions on how to change it to left hand retrieve. If I wasn't such a moron, it would have gotten done before now.

It's a nice reel. Ultra light for a 7/8 wt reel. If I'm not mistaken, it's got a black anodized finish. I thought it was paint from the pics, but upon closer inspection, I can see some slight milling marks. Smooth as butter.

Mounted it on the 9' 7wt Avid just to see where it balanced at. It landed right at the hook keeper. I think with some line/backing, it'll hit the sweet spot right at the handle tip.

I'm considering getting another for my 5wt and selling the Ross Flystart I have.

i got mine last week and they are great feeling and operating reels one of the spools were bent and scratched the reel at fast speeds in and out so i emailed justin and he had a replacement in the mail asap. so far great reels and great guy hopefully going to get out sunday for some big browns and whities

ab, although I'm not politically correct, refined, nor a gentleman or scholar, I about gagged when I read your post. Please, next time a few periods, some capitol letters (where they belong) would really make your post more enjoyable to read. I'm glad I wasn't on oxygen when I read it, I would have passed out. That's the longest sentence I've tried to read in a long time.

ab, although I'm not politically correct, refined, nor a gentleman or scholar, I about gagged when I read your post. Please, next time a few periods, some capitol letters (where they belong) would really make your post more enjoyable to read. I'm glad I wasn't on oxygen when I read it, I would have passed out. That's the longest sentence I've tried to read in a long time.

Sincerely,
Sister Mary Elephant

haha my bad you would think i would add periods and capitals but for some reason i dont on forums. I guess i am just in to much of a hurry to post things to grammer check them.

So how do you guys feel about them? They look great. I am going to go ahead and pick up a 7/8 I think. I don't have much to compare it to however. I have had a few orvis reels of older vintage, and a pretty nice redington. Nothing in this size and large arbor except for my recent purchase of a sage 1680.

So how do you guys feel about them? They look great. I am going to go ahead and pick up a 7/8 I think. I don't have much to compare it to however. I have had a few orvis reels of older vintage, and a pretty nice redington. Nothing in this size and large arbor except for my recent purchase of a sage 1680.

i can only speak of the XL sense i havent got my alpha yet but man i can tell you that the XL is amazing. they are very smooth and sturdy reels. from what i have seen of the alphas' design they look like they will be even better. you will not be disappointed by no means

Justin sent me a reel to review and I am working on that. I think it is a heck of a reel for the money. I say that based on its construction but I have not fished it. Only fishing it will tell us how good the drag is. I think it is worth the money even if it didn't have a drag.

I ordered both a 5/6 XL series and a 12/14 alpha. Both are amazing. They are butter smooth and the drag feels great. I can not wait to fish them.

I've showed both reels to friends and family who have Orvis and GLoomis reels and these Allen reels stack up very nice. They were amazed at what I paid for them. I believe Justin will be getting purchase requests shortly.